Remi Tinubu Petitions APC, Says Melaye Threatens to Rape Her

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, July 20th, 2016

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The rift between Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC Lagos Central) and Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) over alleged assaults against each other at the executive session of the Senate last week Tuesday got messier on Tuesday with Tinubu alleging that Melaye wanted to rape her.

Tinubu in a petition forwarded to the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie- Oyegun said Melaye while hauling verbal missiles at her at the closed door session, threatened to rape her without facing anything consequences thereafter.

“I am both a ranking Senator and a woman. But Senator Melaye took neither into consideration as he issued threats of rape and assault, while boasting that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats”, the Lagos Lawmaker claimed.

The Senator in the petition dated 19th July 2016, highlighted alleged misconducts of Melaye at the session against her and urged the party to sanction him appropriately.

The petition reads in part: “During the 12th July Executive Session of the Senate, I was duly recognized to speak by the Senate President after Senator Dino Melaye had spoken and berated some Senate colleagues over their perceived roles in the judicial case involving the Senate Leadership.

“Although, I remained silent and attempted no interjection during his statement, Senator Melaye tried to abridge my rights as a Senator by hectoring at me and interrupting my contribution. At one point, I cautioned him about the use of his language and the threats made, reminding him that other Senators were there by equal right as he and represented their Constituents.

“In a burst of apparent rage, Senator Melaye charged at me in what can only be seen as effort to physically attack me; the attack was only prevented by some respectful Senators who moved to impede his path or otherwise block him from approaching closer to me. I thanked those Senators for their personal courage and sense of decorum. Senator Melaye hurled foul and vulgar language at me, what he said should never be heard in any public institution let alone the floor of the Senate. Denigrating me as a woman. Senator Melaye threatened to beat me on the floor of the Senate simply because I dared to express an opinion different from his.

“I am both a ranking Senator and a woman. But Senator Melaye took neither into consideration as he issued threats of rape and assault, whiIe boasting that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats.

“Compounding the damage inflicted by Senator Dino Melaye is the fact that we are both of the APC. Thus, I am compeIled to report this incident. It also gives me great concern that the Senate Ieadership has been silent on this matter as if condoning the errant behavior of the Senator.

“Through this Ietter, I officially inform the Party about the improper behaviour of Senator MeIaye and ask the party to investigate this matter in order to restore the public image and moral Standing of the Party and of APC members in the Senate.

“In this manner, we show that we reject the misconduct that has wronged our nation and its people for so Iong. Only if we act against such excesses will the people truly believe we are committed to the reforms we have promised them. We must start by ensuring that our own members know how to behave, according the decorum befitting their elected positions”.

Tinubu has also forwarded similar petition to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki who according to the Vice Chairnan, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Ben Bruce, is already wadding into the matter in line with resolution to that effect by the Senate at its closed door session on Monday.